Iranian Leader Vows To Buck Clerics In Pursuit Of Reform

August 29, 2002|By Nazila Fathi The New York Times

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's president, Mohammad Khatami, said Wednesday that hard-line clerics had made it all but impossible for him to do his job and that he would propose legislation to adjust the balance of power so that he could pursue reforms.

Khatami's statement amounted to a clear expression of frustration with the clerics who hold most real levers of power and have thwarted a president elected twice on promises to open the economy and usher in greater civil liberties.

"I am announcing today that the president must have the power to perform his duties within the framework of the Constitution," he said at a news conference.

"We cannot speak of democracy if we are not ready to play by its rules," he said. "The main aspect of democracy is the right of people to change a government if they do not like it."

Khatami acknowledged that dialogue with the hard-liners had proved fruitless so far, and his challenge Wednesday suggested a new willingness to confront them more forcefully. It seems certain to intensify a long power struggle in the country.

Khatami said he would seek to bolster his powers through Parliament, where his supporters hold a majority and his proposals seem certain to pass. But any such changes can be blocked by a religious panel called the Guardian Council, which has turned back reforms before, though never proposals so sweeping.

Among his statements that are sure to infuriate opponents, Khatami said he was open to ties with the United States. "We haven't said there will never be a change in policy toward America," he said.

But he said that "America's policies have created concern in the world" and that relations could change only if America treated Iran with the same respect that European nations did.

"We cannot engage in a dialogue in which the other side constantly uses an intimidating tone against us," Khatami said. "We are willing to have dialogue when we become confident that this situation has changed."

The United States severed ties with Iran in 1980 after the Islamic revolution in early 1979 and the subsequent seizure of the U.S. Embassy by demonstrators who held 52 Americans hostage.

President Bush has labeled Iran part of an "axis of evil" along with North Korea and Iraq, against which the administration is openly considering war. "I hope the U.S. makes no mischief against Iran," Khatami said.

Khatami's election in 1997 and re-election last year seemed to offer opportunity for a thaw with the United States. But his achievements have been limited as hard-liners have retained control of the judiciary, security forces, army, large economic centers and the government-run television.